Vehicle Open Roof Drive Cable Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open roof systems for vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing long drive cables, leading to increased costs, necessary room requirements, and cable resistance, as well as issues with cable slack and differing movement requirements between movable elements.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an elongated second part connected to the drive cable assembly at its second end allows for the movement of a second movable element in the opposite direction to the first, while maintaining the elongated part in the same lateral guide, with options for continuous or temporary connection, and varying properties such as stiffness, to optimize cable length and movement efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If long drive cables are used to operate both movable elements from a single motor, then one motor can drive both elements, but cable resistance and cable slack increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive cable assembly is segmented into a flexible first part connected to the motor and a second part that may be flexible or substantially stiff. This segmentation allows the cable system to be divided into functional sections, with the second part being shorter and stiffer to reduce resistance and slack while the first part maintains flexibility for motor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the drive cable assembly have different properties - the first part is flexible to accommodate motor movement, while the second part is substantially stiff (made of plastic or metal alloy) to minimize cable resistance and slack. This local differentiation of cable properties optimizes performance in different zones of the system.
2Reliability
If the drive cable is made substantially stiff to reduce cable slack and resistance, then cable performance improves, but the cable cannot accommodate motor movement and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The drive cable assembly is divided into a flexible first part that connects to the motor and allows motor movement, and a second part that is substantially stiff to reduce slack and resistance. This segmentation enables each part to have the appropriate flexibility for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system employs local quality by making different sections have different mechanical properties - the first part near the motor remains flexible to accommodate motor positioning, while the second part extending to the movable element is substantially stiff to minimize deformation and slack under load.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first and second movable elements require different amounts of cable movement, then each element can be optimized for its function, but a single motor cannot drive both elements effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting part is made movable relative to the first part of the drive cable assembly, allowing dynamic adjustment of the connection point. This enables the system to accommodate different cable movement requirements for the first and second movable elements while still being driven by a single motor, as the connecting part can shift position to optimize cable utilization.
4Device complexity
If the second part of the drive cable assembly is made long to reach the second movable element, then both elements can be operated, but costs and room requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second part of the drive cable assembly is made substantially stiff and relatively short compared to what would be required if a single flexible cable spanned the entire distance. This localized stiffening allows the cable to maintain its shape and transfer force efficiently over a shorter effective length, reducing both physical cable length and associated costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
An open roof system for a vehicle comprises at least first and second movable elements (4,5;24;41,42;51,52), which are each movable between a position in which it is retracted, and a position in which it is deployed. At least two drive cable assemblies (7,8) transfer the torque of a motor (6) to said movable elements (4,5;24;41,42;51,52). The stationary part (3) comprises at least first and second guiding channels (9,9',10,10';17,17') and laterally positioned guides (11,11') for respectively guiding the drive cable assemblies (7,8) and the movable elements (4,5;24;41,42;51,52). The drive cable assemblies (7,8) comprise a flexible first part (13,14) having first and second ends (13',14';13",14"), the first part (13,14) being driven by the motor (6). The first end (13',14') of the flexible first part (13,14) is connected to the first movable element (4,24,41,42), in a first direction, and the second end (13",14") is guided in a first guiding channel (9,9',10,10') in the lateral guide (11,11'). The second end (13",14") is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the first end (13',14') towards said first movable element (4,24,41,42). The drive cable assembly (7,8) further comprises an elongated second part (15,16), guided in a second guiding channel (17,17') in a second direction towards said second movable element (5,51,52) and connected thereto. The second guiding channel (17,17') is oriented substantially parallel to the first guiding channel (9,9',10,10') in the lateral guide (11,11'). During at least part of the operation, the elongated second part (15,16) moves substantially in the same direction as the second end (13",14") of the first part (13,14) of the cable assembly (7,8).